Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts
XINGYIQUAN
Xíng Yì Quán (形意拳) is the most direct and militaristic of the three great Chinese internal martial arts. Its name translates roughly to "form intent boxing" which describes the style's emphasis on fortifying the will, or intent, and forging ahead ruthlessly to accomplish the goal. There are generally two separate lineages of Xingyi from which a third has emerged more recently. The two main lineages are the Dai family's Liu He Xin Yi Quan and the Ma family's Xin Yi Liu He Quan, from which have come the three main styles of Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan. Whatever the lineage, it is generally thought that the concept and original style was developed by the famed General Yue Fei (岳飛) during the 1,100's.
Xingyiquan is a very straightforward style which employs simple, effective movements to quickly overcome opponents. It is the least complex of the Chinese internal martial arts in terms of concept and movements. In this way it can take the least amount of time to become proficient. At the same time, it is the most aggressive and forceful of the internal arts in terms of movement and also of mindset. While taijiquan is more passive and defensive, flowing with the situation as it goes, xingyiquan is much more direct and forceful in its approach. As one of my mentors, lineage holder B.K. Frantzis, once put it, "The taiji mindset is go with the flow, thy will be done. The xingyi mindset is My will be done. Right here. Right now." For this reason xingyiquan is not only a powerful and effective martial art, but also a system of developing ironclad discipline of the intent. In xingyi, we learn to fortify the will in order to forge our lives into exactly what we desire. There is no compromise. There is no retreat. There is only the goal and everything that stands in our way is an obstacle to be crushed. In our world of constant stress, distractions, and obligations, the most valuable aspect of xingyi is perhaps not even the martial art but rather the strength and integrity of will that allows us to live our lives in accordance with our heart and Soul.
Training Provided in:
Foundational Principles
San Ti Shou (Trinity Posture)
Five Element Fists
Lien Huan Wu Xing (Linking the Five Elements)
Ba Shih (Eight Methods)
Xingyi 12 Animal Forms
Shi Er Xing (12 Shapes)
45-minute class - $79